Tool Kit

Help Promote Addiction Treatment Gap Awareness Week

The statistics which reflect the severity of the treatment gap are staggering. Nearly 20.5 million Americans 12 or older have a substance use disorder, yet only an estimated 1 in 10 people with the disorder receive treatment. We must end this treatment gap and increase the addiction medicine workforce. ASAM calls on all physicians to take the upcoming Addiction Medicine board exam by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

To encourage engagement and conversation about the addiction treatment gap, ASAM, along with our partners, is starting an online dialogue through various mediums. We encourage you to share your prevention message on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Engage with ASAM on Social Media

Use #TreatmentGap on social media to spread the message Sign-up for our Thunderclap at 12:00 pm ET on April 27th: http://thndr.me/1KN6uf

Addiction Treatment Gap Awareness Week – Daily Themes

During each day of the Addiction Treatment Gap Awareness Week, we will have a designated awareness theme (see schedule below). When applicable, consider using the themes to help develop your events and activities, as well as your social media posts.

Monday, April 24: ‘What Is The Treatment Gap?’

Tuesday, April 25: A Call to Physicians: Take the Addiction Medicine Exam

Wednesday, April 26: Substance Use Disorder

Thursday, April 27: Medical Students and Future Doctors

Friday, April 28: Alcohol Chat: #TreatmentGap

Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30: Ending the Stigma Surround Addiction

Sample Tweets

Millions suffer from the disease of addiction, yet only 1 in 10 receive treatment. I join @ASAMorg & call to close this #TreatmentGap.

Only 1 of 10 people with a substance use disorder receive treatment. We would not accept that for any other illness. #TreatmentGap

DYK: 88,000 people died from alcohol-related causes in 2015, but less than 10% suffering from alcohol addiction received treatment. #TreatmentGap

Over 20 million Americans suffer from addiction, yet only 1 in 10 receive treatment. This must change. Join @ASAMorg & close #TreatmentGap

I alongside @ASAMorg call on all doctors to apply for the #addiction medicine exam. If you treat addiction we can save lives. #TreatmentGap

There are more than 20.5 million Americans suffering from a substance use disorder, yet only an estimated 1 in 10 receive the treatment they need. We must end this #TreatmentGap.

I am joining the movement to call on physicians to take the ABPM Addiction Medicine exam. Let’s close the #TreatmentGap. Learn more by visiting www.TreatAddictionSaveLives.org

Only 1 in 10 people suffering from the disease of addiction receive treatment. We would not put up with this for any other disease, it is time to close the #TreatmentGap. Learn more: www.TreatAddictionSaveLives.org

In the United States, over 20.5 million Americans suffer from a substance use disorder, yet only 1 in 10 people in the US with the disease of addiction receive treatment. Help close the treatment gap, learn more: www.TreatAddictionSaveLives.org

In 2015, 2.3 million Americans suffered from Opioid Use Disorder or dependence; only 1.4 million people were treated. That leaves a treatment gap of nearly 1 million people. I (we) call on all physicians to treat addiction and save lives. Learn how you can help by visiting www.TreatAddictionSaveLives.org.

Sample Blog Posts

In 2015, over 20 million Americans suffered from a substance use disorder, yet recent studies show only 10% of those with addiction receive treatment. In the middle of an addiction epidemic, this is unacceptable. We need to close the treatment gap. I am joining the American Society of Addiction (ASAM) and its partners to raise awareness of this treatment gap during the first-ever Addiction Treatment Gap Awareness Week. Learn more on how to get involved and spread the word about the need for a larger addiction medicine workforce at www.TreatAddictionSaveLives.org.

Last year over 88,000 people died from alcohol-related causes, but less than 10% received treatment. There is a major treatment gap for those suffering from the disease of addiction and we must end it. We (I) are joining the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) along with their partner organizations to raise awareness of this epidemic and close the treatment gap. Please join us and learn more on how you can help and visit www.TreatAddictionSaveLives.org

In 2015, 2.3 million Americans suffered from opioid use disorder or dependence, but only 1.4 million people were treated. That leaves a treatment gap of nearly 1 million people. This fact is reflected in alcohol statistics as nearly 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes each year, but less than 10% receive treatment. I (we) call on all physicians to treat addiction and save lives. Learn how you can help by visiting www.TreatAddictionSaveLives.org.